Seeing Huo Guang's expression change, Liu Tan coughed lightly and said, "I just said that. No matter how powerful I am, I wouldn't let Wu Shilu stay in a place that is under attack."

Huo Guang said nothing, but looked at Liu Tan warily and said, "Your Highness, the princes are not allowed to leave their fiefdoms without permission. You..."

Liu Tan immediately said, "I know that the Emperor and the Crown Prince wouldn't agree. Is that what you mean? Okay, okay, I'll just say that. Let's think of other ways. By the way, how are the military rations and other things being prepared?"

Huo Guang said, "The focus for the next two months will be on this. The grain and fodder have already been stored. I've made a rough calculation and I think there's enough."

Liu Tan asked, "What do you mean by 'enough'? You're not going to leave any foundation at all, are you?"

Huo Guang was helpless: "Am I that kind of person?"

Liu Tan's brows relaxed and he let Huo Guang continue with his work.

To be honest, he had no confidence in this expedition at first. He had already made preparations to buy food and fodder, but he felt a little embarrassed to ask the court for assistance.

After all, the current policy of the Han Dynasty is to recuperate and he wants to take advantage of the situation, even if he uses the excuse of opening a vital passage to the Western Regions for the Han Dynasty, but I guess everyone can see that his real purpose may be revenge.

You have to avenge yourself. If you don’t have the ability, don’t join in. This is Liu Tan’s own idea, so he doesn’t want to ask anyone for help.

And this time is also a test for the elite group.

Here, Liu Tan was busy preparing for the war, and at the same time sent people to keep an eye on Wu Shilu to see when he would return.

As a result, Wu Shilu did not go back, but Yan State... Oh, to be exact, it was Shanggu County that began to frantically ask for help, and even asked for help from Yunzhong County.

The governor of Yunzhong County and the governor of Shanggu County were close friends. After receiving the call for help, he felt helpless and anxious. In the past, he would go to help even if he was questioned by the central government, but now he didn't dare to do so.

The only thing he could do was to carefully write a letter to the Prime Minister to inquire about the attitude of His Royal Highness the King of the North.

After learning this, Liu Tan sighed, "What's the point of him asking us for help? He should just write a petition to the court."

Wei Buyi was eager to try and said, "How can writing a letter to the court be as quick as asking us for help? Your Highness...how about...practice first?"

Although Wu Shilu led the team personally, he did not necessarily have the intention to fight directly with the Han Dynasty. He probably just wanted to get some benefits and vent his anger. After all, since the border of the Northern Border Kingdom fell into Liu Tan's hands, the Huns have never gained any benefits. Not only did they not get any benefits, but every time they wanted to get some benefits, they would be beaten up.

It is estimated that the Huns had been feeling aggrieved for a long time, so they traveled thousands of miles to harass the State of Yan.

Liu Tan glanced at Wei Buyi, thought for a moment, and said, "Don't move. Let Li Buyan go."

The location of the Surrender City is special and its mission is also special. From the name, you can tell that it was originally intended to accept the surrender of the Huns.

As a result, the people who were originally going to surrender died, and the role of the Surrender City became awkward. In addition, its location was isolated, so the only thing Liu Tan could do was to arm them to the teeth.

But the supplies arrived, but the Huns didn't come. The place was not suitable for farming, and these people were not productive. If they continued to waste time like this, those people would probably be ruined, and Li Buyan would also be ruined.

Li Buyan had nothing to do in this attack on Cheshi State. His mission was to defend Shoujiang City. It was time to find him something to do.

Although Wei Buyi felt a little disappointed, he could understand Liu Tan's choice. He said cautiously, "What about the Prime Minister?"

Liu Tan said decisively: "I'm here!"

Wei Buyi was a little bit unconvinced, but he didn't dare to say it. He always felt that if the prime minister did not agree, the final result would probably be that he really would not be able to go.

In fact, Liu Tan himself was not sure, but what surprised him was that Huo Guang did not object.

Huo Guang said, "That's perfect. We can test whether the military rations are really useful. As for the bows and crossbows, since they were modified by His Highness, neither bow nor crossbow has ever been used in a real battle. Small fights won't reveal anything, so it's a good idea to try it out on the Xiongnu."

Liu Tan immediately laughed and said, "Yes, yes, that's what I meant."

Huo Guang glanced at him and thought to himself, it’s strange that you could think of this, you just want to cause trouble for Wu Shilu.

However, although everyone knew that this battle would not be too large-scale, Liu Tan even told Li Buyan not to fight to the end, and if Wu Shilu wanted to retreat, let him retreat and not to annoy him.

Liu Tan was not very clear about Wu Shilu's military ability, but it should be quite good. He didn't know whether Li Buyan was his opponent, but it was obvious that he could not be more crazy than him.

If Wu Shilu's madness is forced out, Liu Tan might have to go there himself to rescue Li Buyan.

After receiving the order, Li Buyan immediately assembled his army and set out, equipped with the best bows and crossbows, and even the best armor, and led his troops directly to assist Shanggu County.

However, what Li Buyan did not expect was that when he arrived there, the Huns were indeed there, but Wu Shilu was nowhere to be seen.

While Li Buyan was commanding his men to drive away the Huns, he went to find the prefect of Shanggu County. However, when he arrived at the county seat of Shanggu County, he found that the place was already in ruins.

Li Buyan was a little dazed for a moment as he stood in front of the ruined city.

It seemed as if he had seen such a scene before.

Yes, that’s what happened when Shuofang County was plundered by the Xiongnu.

However, the rebuilt Shuofang City no longer bears the shadow of its past, and is becoming increasingly powerful and prosperous, making everyone almost forget the pain of the past.

Unfortunately, Shanggu County did not seem to have such good luck. The county magistrate of Shanggu County tried his best to defend the city but failed in the end. He was unwilling to surrender and became the only county magistrate to die in the city in the past five years.

The affairs of Shanggu County are now managed only by the county magistrate who is blind in one eye.

Li Buyan originally thought that he would leave after driving away the Huns, and try not to cause trouble for His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Border. However, he did not expect that Shanggu County was in such a miserable state. He could not help but go over to see if there was anything he could do to help.

When he saw the county magistrate, he felt that this person seemed to be holding on by the breath and might collapse at any time. He couldn't help but sigh and turned around and ordered: "Take out the military rations and distribute some to them."

The adjutant hesitated for a moment: "General, this... I'm afraid..."

Li Buyan said, "Go quickly, I will take care of anything that happens!"

The adjutant said helplessly: "Okay."

As soon as Li Buyan finished speaking, the County Magistrate grabbed his wrist tightly and said, "Quick, send a message to His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory. Tell His Royal Highness that Wu Shilu and his men crossed the long trench and are now missing!"

Li Buyan was stunned for a moment: "What?"

The county magistrate said, "Wu Shilu and his men have disappeared. I have already sent someone to report this to the court!"

Li Buyan was about to explode: "Why didn't you say so earlier!"

After he finished speaking, he turned around and was about to take his men away, intending to visit the nearest counties. Of course, he still left some of the military rations behind.

Li Buyan sent people to rush towards Shuofang City frantically while looking for Wu Shilu's whereabouts.

According to the county magistrate, Wu Shilu did not seem to bring too many people with him, only about a dozen or so.

According to normal people's thinking, it is impossible for such a small number of people to attack Chang'an.

But as for Wu Shilu's words... no one can tell what he is thinking.

Compared to Chang'an, Li Buyan is more worried about the Northern Border Kingdom. The Northern Border Kingdom's military defenses are at the border, and to be honest, there is much less inside. After all, it has not developed to that level yet, and the population is not that large.

While looking for someone, Li Buyan secretly prayed that Wu Shilu had already returned and would not cause trouble for their prince.

When Liu Tan received the news from Li Buyan, he immediately called Huo Guang over and said, "Give orders to all the passes to strictly check and guard them. Arrest any Xiongnu who appear suspicious. Also, notify the Xiongnu in the city and those who have gone out to plant and care for the salt trees to stay put for the time being. Otherwise, if a misunderstanding arises, arresting them would be a good thing, but they might even lose their lives."

Huo Guang also broke out in a cold sweat, and seemed to be taking his anger out on others: "What is the Shanggu County Magistrate doing?"

After giving the order, Liu Tan calmed down. "It's not his fault. How could Yan be safe with a fool like Liu Dan? The governor of Shanggu County has already died for his crime. He was a strong man. He did a good job."

Huo Guang sighed deeply: "I will make arrangements immediately. My only concern now is that they won't take the official path..."

The Northern Kingdom is different from other places. The official roads are strictly inspected because of the existence of toll stations. Any disturbance can be transmitted to the capital at the fastest speed.

However, most of the northern border countries are grasslands, and the Huns entering the grasslands are no different from fish entering water.

Liu Tan said decisively, "Send people to tell the people to report any suspicious individuals immediately and not to attack them lightly. Of course, that's fine if you have the ability."

Huo Guang was stunned for a moment: "Let the people come? Is that okay?"

Liu Tanxin said that was great, letting the Huns feel what it was like to be caught in the vast ocean of people's war. After all, the people in the north are tough.

However, Huo Guang probably couldn't imagine it, so Liu Tan had to say: "Don't forget, conscription hasn't started yet. When conscription starts, the civilians you call will be soldiers. Do you think they can do it?"

Huo Guang didn't say anything. This was the only way now.

After Liu Tan gave the order, he turned around and wondered why Wu Shilu brought a dozen people into the pass?

However, no one could give him an answer.

A few days passed, and Wu Shilu still had no trace. Liu Tan was even beginning to suspect he had just made a false move and was gone when Gongshu Can suddenly rushed over and said, "Your Highness, those Mohist disciples I saw earlier are escorting a few Xiongnu people to see you."